Elementary School Teacher Hourly Pay in Bakersfield, CA: $38.79 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a elementary school teacher working in Bakersfield, CA runs $38.79 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $80,683 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 25-2021). Weighted against Bakersfield's regional price level (BEA RPP 100.9, 1% above national), each hour of work buys what $38.45 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $48,405 per year.
Official BLS data · View source

In Bakersfield, the projected median hourly pay for elementary school teachers is $38.79, significantly higher than the national median of $31.06. This favorable rate can benefit part-time employees working three days a week or those seeking per diem opportunities, enabling them to earn a decent hourly wage that reflects the high cost of living in CA. The hourly pay spectrum ranges from $29.73 (10th percentile) for entry-level roles to $57.57 (90th percentile) for top earners, illustrating a potential for career growth. Those involved in a variety of educational settings—such as K-12 classrooms, special education, tutoring programs, and summer sessions—can establish earning patterns that fit their lifestyles, all based on the official BLS projections for 2026.
Elementary School Teacher Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $29.73 | $237.83 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $31.08 | $248.65 |
| Median (P50) | $38.79 | $310.29 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $49.44 | $395.52 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $57.57 | $460.55 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Bakersfield
Based on $38.79/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $38.79/hr, a elementary school teacher working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Bakersfield, CA can expect to earn approximately $80,676 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $46,544. With a cost-of-living index of 100.89 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Bakersfield.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Bakersfield
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,551.46 | $6,723 | $80,676 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $930.87 | $4,034 | $48,405 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $620.58 | $2,689 | $32,270 |
Compare Teacher Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Elementary School Teacher (Bakersfield) | $38.79 |
| Middle School Teacher (National Avg) | $32.16 |
| High School Teacher (National Avg) | $33.55 |
| Preschool Teacher (National Avg) | $18.53 |
| Special Education Teacher (National Avg) | $32.74 |
Elementary School Teachers in Bakersfield, CA earn a median of $80,683 per year (2026 est.), which is 24.90% higher than the national median of $64,597 and 19.50% below the California state average of $100,227.
Elementary School Teacher Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $38.79/hr = $48,405/year (purchasing power: $47,980).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $80,676/year (purchasing power: $79,967).
CoL index: 100.886 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$39.85/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$38.41/hr
2026 Current Est.
$38.79/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+-1.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Elementary School Teachers in Bakersfield (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 0.98% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $39.85/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $41.22/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $38.25/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $37.43/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $37.95/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $37.03/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $38.41/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $38.79/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $39.17/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for elementary school teachers in Bakersfield grew -3.6% from $39.85/hr (2019) to $38.41/hr (2025). At a 0.98% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $39.17/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem elementary school teachers can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bakersfield metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 0.98% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Elementary School Teacher in Bakersfield
For elementary school teachers working part-time, specifically those on a 3-day work schedule, earnings can vary greatly in comparison to their full-time counterparts. A typical part-time schedule may net an annual take-home that is proportionately lower than full-time, despite still enjoying health benefits tied to full-time employment. Per diem roles, afford flexibility but also introduce varied pay ranges, with substitute teachers typically earning between $100 and $200 per day. Long-term substitutes command even higher rates, while private tutoring can bring in $30 to $80 per hour through platforms like Wyzant and Outschool. Additionally, educational roles across different employer types in Bakersfield can lead to different compensation structures; for instance, public school district positions might offer stability, whereas charter schools can provide varied scales depending on their funding models. The decision to accept lower hourly pay in exchange for benefits, such as health insurance, is a common trade-off. For those looking to negotiate hourly rates, understanding the competitive landscape—especially the differences between public, private, and charter institutions—can be advantageous in securing better compensation.
More salary data for Bakersfield, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Jordan Lee, M.Ed.
Career Analyst
Jordan Lee has over 10 years of experience in elementary education. They focus on curriculum development and teaching methodologies. Their experience includes working in public schools.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 0.98% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for elementary school teachers in Bakersfield. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 0.98%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for elementary school teachers (SOC 25-2021).
Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, M.Ed., a licensed elementary school teacher with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov